Compare And Contrast The Articles Of Confederation

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“My reading of history convinces me that most Bad Government results from too much government”- Thomas Jefferson.
In its attempt to avoid a strong national government, as most colonists felt England had, the Articles of Confederation restricted the federal government to the point that held virtually no power to enable freedom, democracy, and citizenship to flourish. The Articles of Confederation did not allow the federal government to impose taxes or tariffs or to raise an army. There was no national executive power and no federal court systems, therefore, no checks and balances for the national government. Also, any changes or opposed amendments to the Articles was very difficult to do because there needed to be three-fourths to an anonymous vote of the states for the change to occur. This created problems …show more content…
The Articles of Confederation did not contain a bill of rights nor did it address slavery, citizenship, and an executive branch for the government. Without addressing these few issues, the Articles were inadequate because slavery was a huge issue for the states. Citizenship was not thought of because the Framers did not intend for the United State to become more populated and diverse. Although it did address many individual rights of the people, anti-federalists did not agree with the document because it did not contain a bill of rights. “We are obliged at this time to struggle, with all the Powers with which the Constitution hath furnished us, in Defense of our Rights; to prevent the most valuable of our Liberties form being wrested from us, by the subtle machinations, and daring Encroachments of wicked Ministers”- Samuel Adams. Another issue that was not addressed nor defined was the separation of powers and the three main branches of government; Judicial, Executive, and Legislative, which then allows for check and balances. Checks and balances
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